Lobby Watch: "Kommie" Burton & The Socialist Lobby

The tea party senator who recently banned tax-paid lobbyists from her office took campaign money from the public-sector lobby that she despises. Sen. 'Kommie' Burton even took money from lobbyists for the Marxist government of Venezuela!

Lobby Watch & Sen. Burton revive the Red Scare.

Prosecutor says Perry intended to obstruct Public Integrity investigations

Special prosecutor Michael McCrum has updated the original indictment against former Governor Rick Perry, providing more detail on the actions and motivations behind Perry's veto of the Public Integrity Unit's budget. The updated indictments contend Perry's general disapproval of the watchdog's investigations prompted him to "obstruct the continued operation of the Public Integrity Unit."

Updated indictment is here.

Lobby Watch: A Moncrief Abandons An Abusive Lawsuit

Dick Moncrief's Moncrief Oil International dropped its 10-year lawsuit against Russian gas giant Gazprom this week after revelations that the plaintiff fabricated key trial evidence for its $1.4 billion claim. Reports of such lawsuit abuse may boost contributions to Texans for Lawsuit Reform, whose supporters include Dick Moncrief's legendary wildcatter father: W.A. 'Tex' Moncrief.
Read the new Lobby Watch.

Lobby Watch: Empowered Senators Slash TEC Budget

Persistent rumors claim that Empower Texans--which is fighting the Texas Ethics Commission in court--pressured the Senate to slash that agency's budget. Empower is the top donor to Lieutenant Governor Patrick, while the No. 2 money source to three senators is either Empower or the group's founder.

A new Lobby Watch follows Empower's PAC, as well as the group's shadowy dark-money expenditures.
Read the new Lobby Watch.

Post-Perry Corruption OP-ED in Austin Statesman

Austin American-Statesman

By Craig McDonald and Andrew Wheat

Cronyism and entitlement flourish when one political party controls every statewide office for 20 years. Indicted former Gov. Rick Perry created the ultimate crony-corrupt state. He rewarded political supporters with appointments, no-bid contracts and huge handouts from the public purse. The few people who stood up to this corruption notably don’t include Texas’ new leaders. 

Read the full op-ed.

Statement re: Judge's Refusal to Dismiss Perry Charges

"Rick Perry, his high-priced legal team and out-of-state pundits have long argued that Perry's indictments are so flimsy that they will not stand up in court. Today a top GOP judge again refused to dismiss the case. The prosecutor and a grand jury have said there's compelling evidence against Perry. That evidence should be presented in court for all to see.  The chances of that happening improved today," said TPJ director Craig McDonald. 

Texans for Public Justice filed a criminal complaint against Perry in June of last year. That complaint led to Perry's indictment by a Texas grand jury on two counts related to his abuse of office.

Lobby Watch: TLR Mum on 21CT 'SLAPP' Suit

Contractor 21CT, Inc. slapped lobbyist James Frinzi with a libel suit after he blew the whistle on Jack Stick.  Is this lawsuit abuse?  Texans for Lawsuit Reform is silent on the subject.  Is it because they bankrolled the political career of Jack Stick? 

Lobby Watch follows Stick's big donors.

Patrick's New Shadow Government Gave Him $2 Million

Patrick Gives Govt to Tycoons

Most of the business executives that Lt. Governor-elect Dan Patrick appointed to serve on his citizen advisory boards have bankrolled his campaigns. Out of the 56 appointees, 43 (77 percent) contributed a total of $1,975,056 to Patrick's campaign from September 2005 to the eve of the 2014 election. 

See the list of appointee contributions.

Support TPJ. Your Donation will be Matched!!

 
We hope you can support TPJ with an end-of-year contribution.  Your contribution will be matched through a generous grant from the Kirk Mitchell Foundation.  Please take a moment to review highlights of TPJ's 16-years of fighting against political corruption and for open government. 

Click over to our SUPPORT TPJ PAGE to make your contribution.

Thank you.

Judge Rules Against Governor Perry

Perry (right) lost his first court battle.

Statement of Craig McDonald on Judge Richardson’s ruling against Gov. Perry’s motion to disqualify the special prosecutor.

 

“We applaud the judge's ruling.  Perry's legal strategy of bluster and bombast didn't work.

Let’s get to a trial in open court so everyone can see the evidence the grand jury saw. It’s time to stop the efforts  to keep the evidence secret. ”